By Akanimo Kufre
Godswill Akpabio United announced their growing ambition with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over city rivals Akwa United in a fiercely contested pre-season derby at the Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday evening, delivering a result that thrilled spectators and challenged expectations ahead of the new Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.
Akwa United entered the encounter as favourites, but their opponents had other ideas. Centre-forward Selim Aliu struck in the 26th minute to settle the keenly contested affair, exposing the competitive edge between the two sides and sparking excitement among fans who witnessed the emerging rivalry.
The result was particularly significant for Godswill Akpabio United, who lost one of their league meetings with Akwa United and drew the other during the last NNL season. Captain Kamoru Ogunjobi described the derby as a tough encounter, expressing delight that his team had demonstrated their ability to compete with more established opposition.
Ogunjobi said the victory reinforced the belief that there are no underdogs in football, with Godswill Akpabio United using the pre-season tournament to demonstrate their readiness to challenge stronger opponents as they prepare for the new campaign.
However, Akwa United chairman, Joseph Eno, played down the significance of the defeat, maintaining that the outcome was part of the club’s preparations for the forthcoming NNL season. For the former Nigerian Premier Football League champions, the focus remains on fine-tuning the squad and building the consistency required for a successful campaign.
For Godswill Akpabio United head coach Edward Green, the victory represented a positive response from his players. With the club preparing for their opening NNL fixture against Stormers SC of Abeokuta, Green said the performance was encouraging but acknowledged that important areas still required improvement.
“Victory over Akwa United was a good reaction,” Green said, identifying chance creation and finishing as key priorities for his team. “Going forward, we need to improve in creating more scoring chances and converting them. If you want to win matches, you have to win your midfield battles.”
The coach also outlined the philosophy guiding his team, stressing collective responsibility, hard work and tactical discipline as the foundations of his approach. “My philosophy is effort — everybody has to work for everyone. Wherever you find yourself, you start playing from that role until the team takes its shape,” he explained.
Green has set his sights on securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in 2027, declaring his determination to lead Godswill Akpabio United to the top flight. The club will begin that journey away from home when they travel to Abeokuta on November 7, 2026, to face Stormers SC in their opening NNL fixture, hoping to carry the confidence from their derby triumph into the league campaign.
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